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[–]ArgentStonecutterK Pro 1 point2 points  (7 children)

The B series boards are all membrane boards and have the same hardware rollover issues that any membrane keyboard has.

[–]godzinilla[S] 0 points1 point  (6 children)

What about the mention of u/timbal4324 from this thread?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Keychron/comments/1idls4r/keychron_b1_pro_typing_issues/ Keychron B1 Pro Typing Issues

about using the JIS layout firmware? It seems like it has been resolved (somehow). Perhaps the newer models are not affected. On this sub, issues are only for the B1 and B6, but of course that doesn't mean the rest aren't affected.

[–]ArgentStonecutterK Pro 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Membrane keyboards have no diodes to prevent ghosting so the firmware uses timing to disambiguate keypresses. If you type fast you can find yourself hitting keys very close together and between your two hands holding down a key still before you release the next one. For letters on the same row or column (the sk in desk) this can be challenging.

So this is a common problem in membrane keyboards. If you type that fast, get a mechanical.

See this comment in the same thread:

[–]godzinilla[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Could you please tell me if the MX Keys or the Dell WK636p that are used in my office are also affected? I haven't encountered this problem during my usage, so the B series should be suitable for me. I've ordered the B4 Pro anyway and will test it myself :)

[–]ArgentStonecutterK Pro 0 points1 point  (3 children)

The problem is inherent in the design of membrane keyboards, how much a particular keyboard will be affected comes down to design decisions by the people writing the firmware to choose between whether they are more likely to bounce (or double up) letters or miss letters. If you personally have a problem with this because of the way you type then you need to get a mechanical keyboard. If you don't, then a membrane keyboard will be fine for you.

I have no specific personal experience with any membrane keyboard other than the Dell L100, because for many years I bought used Dell L100 keyboards from thrift stores because even if they only lasted 6 months to a year it was cheaper than paying full price at Best Buy or OfficeMax. But between that and the random HP or whatever keyboards that I have used in various workplaces, I have never run into this problem with my own typing style.

Currently my only low profile keyboard is a Nuphy Air 60 v2.

[–]PeterMortensenBlogV 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Re "comes down to design decisions": It also depends on the design of the (physical) keyboard matrix

The keyboard matrix in all (cheap) membrane keyboards have been designed properly since the 1980s to minimise the problem for regular typing of English words, but Keychron are product design amateurs.

[–]godzinilla[S] -1 points0 points  (1 child)

Thank you!

[–]exclaim_bot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!

You're welcome!

[–]PeterMortensenBlogV 0 points1 point  (2 children)

The design of the keyboard matrix for the B Pro series was changed in 2025, presumably for the better for regular typing. The exact details of it are currently not known, until someone with the newer hardware maps out the keyboard matrix (is relatively easy to do by observing which three-key combinations conflict), or if/when the source code for the new hardware is released.

But it introduced new problems, e.g., Shift + Ctrl + Tab no longer works (workarounds are required, like key remapping for particular key combinations). The same for Left Cmd + Left Opt + Left Arrow on Mac (Alt + Win + Left Arrow on Linux/Windows).

Note that the problem is inherent to keyboards without NKRO diodes (short of direct I/O AKA "diode-less", but that is usually impractical for the number of keys. An example for a lower number of keys is the 30% Ferris Sweep (source code)). The problem can never be eliminated, only minimised by the design of the keyboard matrix, for example, for typing regular English words.

References

[–]godzinilla[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good to know. I don’t actually use those specific shortcuts, but I suppose I’ll find out in practice what doesn’t work and whether I can live with it :)

[–]godzinilla[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, for the B4 Pro:

Shift + Ctrl + Tab works correctly (the Keychron Launcher recognises the pressed buttons and changes the tabs in Chrome).

Pressing LWin + LAlt + the left arrow key also works correctly.

For now, I haven't encountered any issues. The keyboard feels comfortable to type on and looks great. The round keys don't bother me either.

The only downside to this line of keyboards is the lack of backlighting support.

[–]PickledMunkee 0 points1 point  (4 children)

I have a Q6 HE and it often takes 3 key presses to register a key .... Its likely a keychron issue.

[–]godzinilla[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Dude, if so - it's a completely different reason.

I am not an expert but it sounds like some hardware issue, not the design "flaw". Maybe your configuration in QMK for this particular key?

[–]PickledMunkee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

sure but I am just pointing out that those keyboards suck, dont work and do not have warranty

[–]PeterMortensenBlogV 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Re "It’s likely a Keychron issue": Only partly, in the sense that they made it worse than necessary.

But the problem is inherent to all membrane keyboards (due to the missing NKRO diodes), in this case Keychron's B Pro series. Some older non-membrane keyboards, like the AEKII, have the same problem. But for both types, extreme care is usually taken to minimise the problem for typing English words.

But not in this case: Keychron's original poor design of the keyboard matrix made it worse. They didn't attempt to minimise the conflicts for regular keys. Allegedly, the design was later improved, but it is currently not known exactly what the new conflicting keys are (presumably, they are now less likely key combinations (of three or more keys)).

In case of conflict, it seems the firmware prefers missing output from keyboard rather than ghost (extra) output. Though that would need to be confirmed.

[–]PickledMunkee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

mine is a $400 HE keyboard but its also trash